Our Interview With Dr. Sawali Sudarshan, Director of the Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medicine Program at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Dr. Sawali Sudarshan is the director of the post-baccalaureate pre-medicine program at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

What makes the George Washington University's Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medicine Program unique and especially beneficial for aspiring medical students?

Our program is designed as an 11-month launching pad to medical school. Uniquely housed within the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, our program provides students with a 4:1 advising ratio led by clinicians—MDs and PAs—who understand firsthand what it takes to succeed on this path. In addition to completing prerequisite courses taught by outstanding PhD faculty, students receive integrated on-campus MCAT preparation through Kaplan to strengthen their academic metrics. In addition, we have a short 4-day workweek, leaving Fridays off for students to pursue volunteer and clinical work that they will need to supplement their applications. Lastly, our Current Topics course not only explores pressing issues in healthcare but also prepares students for interviews and guides them through sections of their application.

What key skills or experiences can students expect to gain during their time in the program that will prepare them for medical school?

Our program is designed for career changers—students who may not yet have had significant exposure to healthcare. We meet them where they are and help them identify transferable skills from their previous experiences that can translate into medicine. Along the way, students gain valuable clinical and volunteer experience and receive structured introductions to the healthcare system, including topics such as insurance, epidemics, and the social determinants of health. They develop teamwork and leadership skills through running their own student organization and engaging with the surrounding community. In addition, students strengthen their writing, participate in lunch-and-learn sessions with medical schools, and build the confidence and preparation needed to move forward on the path to medicine.

Inspira Advantage is proud to interview experts like Dr. Sawali Sudarshan to help future doctors understand the challenges and rewards of a medical career.